Missouri Republican Todd Akin has begun moving toward ending his candidacy after his remarks on rape and abortion provoked a firestorm, a top Republican said.

"Akin is taking concrete steps to withdraw by tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.," a senior Republican told BuzzFeed, adding that Akin could still change his mind.

But a Republican close to Akin said his position hasn't changed: He's still in the race.

Tomorrow afternoon is an important deadline: If he files papers to end his candidacy in Jefferson City tomorrow he can end his candidacy unilaterally; after that, he would have to file an application in court.

Possible Republican replacements, the Republican source said, include three former senators: John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond. Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin's now-vacant seat; and Auditor Tom Schweich.

UPDATE: Former Missouri Sen. Jim Talent tells BuzzFeed that he is not running for Senate to replace Akin. He also declined to explicitly call for Akin to step aside, but backed NRSC Chair John Cornyn's cool statement that Akin make his decision quickly.

Hes got a decision to make and hes got to make it quickly, Talent added. Hes got to know the situation and he needs to sit down and make a personal decision.

Possible Republican replacements, the Republican source said, include three former senators: John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond. Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin’s now-vacant seat; and Auditor Tom Schweich.

Geez! Roll out the old coots! How about one of the two other persons who were on the ballot just two weeks ago??

If he stays in, he looks bad to many who want to vote for him but now can’t, and many of those are likely leaners, could go either way... you can be sure the’ll not vote for Akin after this... he just made McCaskill’s case for her, that he’s wacky right.

St. Louis  Today the Ann Wagner for Congress Campaign is honored to be among the first candidates endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List. In 2010 the Susan B. Anthony List spent $11 million supporting pro-life candidates around the country and was successful in 62 of the 90 races they played in. This will be their sole endorsement in the Missouri 2nd Congressional District.

Possible Republican replacements, the Republican source said, include three former senators: John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond. Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin's now-vacant seat; and Auditor Tom Schweich.

WTF? Who needs this establishment picks? What about John Brunner and Sarah Steelman? Disgusting.

The republican establishment at the state and national level are using this as their chance to put another go-along person into the senate. Kit Bond?? He just retired two years ago for God’s sake. First Lautenberg, then Coats, now Bond. Go away!! It would be fun to see Ashcroft but he’s too old. Need somebody young.

Hopefully he has a “come to Jesus” moment tonight, discussing this over with his family. There’s no way he can win now, not with all financial support withdrawn by various PAC’s and the NRSC itself. He’s toast, it all comes down to how much ego he has and how selfish he is. If he stays in, I’ll gladly donate to the first Republican that lines up to run against him and McCaskill as an independent.

I voted for Sarah Steelman. I wouldnt consider her a RINO. Had Palins support. Came in second in the Primary by within a handful of votes. Why wouldnt she be Akins replacement if he steps down? Why are they considering John Ashcroft, Jim Talent, and Kit Bond?

“Allowing the party chair to select someone who didnt even run for the position this year smacks of GOPe-liteism.”

****

In this case, it is more a matter of name recognition, organization, contacts, and the ability to win. Primary losers don’t have an advantage over Talent, Ashcroft, or Bond when it comes to any of these regardless of ideology.

Had GOPe conspired to take Akin out, I would agree with you. Instead, this is full press damage damage control by the state and national party apparatus because Akin shot himself in the foot.

No one in the GOPe was sitting around expecting Akin to say something this terminally stupid that would open the doors for an alternate candidate.

22
posted on 08/20/2012 2:11:00 PM PDT
by peyton randolph
(Mitt has more views on an issue than he has pairs of magic underpants)

Other names being mentioned include former Ambassador Ann Wagner, who is running for Akin's now-vacant seat; and Auditor Tom Schweich.

If they select Ann Wagner to replace him then they'll need somoeone to fill the nomination for Akin's congressional seat. And since Akin won't be doing anything...and they need someone to run...could this be the deal being offered him? Keep your old job or wind up with nothing?

27
posted on 08/20/2012 2:17:42 PM PDT
by Delhi Rebels
(There was a row in Silver Street - the regiments was out.)

At least get his name right. I don’t know who’s in greater denial, the Bed Wetting Pubbies or Clair “Late Term” McCaskill. Somebody needs to look at the numbers in the Primary and remember this race is in Missouri, not Detroit. What ever Representative Akin decides to do, the Trent Lott wing of the party will be found cowering in the corner.

40
posted on 08/20/2012 2:34:13 PM PDT
by Steamburg
(The contents of your wallet is the only language Politicians understand.)

Tomorrow afternoon is an important deadline: If he files papers to end his candidacy in Jefferson City tomorrow he can end his candidacy unilaterally; after that, he would have to file an application in court.

She came in about 7 points back behind a guy named Brunner. That makes it hard to jump to her. The establishment hates Brunner just as bad as they hate Adkin. The cowering is beyond belief. Not a spine or “gravitas” to be out there saying, so what, “At least Adkin isn’t a baby killer funding Planned Parenthood”. It’s no wonder the Dems usually control government.

45
posted on 08/20/2012 2:40:07 PM PDT
by Steamburg
(The contents of your wallet is the only language Politicians understand.)

The bottom line of the interview was that he agreed with Hannity that he could lose the Senate seat and maybe even pull Missouri out of the Romney column, thus swinging the election to Obama and destroy the country as a result. But, hey, he can live with that. Why? Because he's "not a quitter." In the moral battle between the good of the country or satisfying his own ego, the ego won out...unless he does the RIGHT THING by tomorrow afternoon.

46
posted on 08/20/2012 2:41:04 PM PDT
by PJ-Comix
(Beware the Rip in the Space/Time Continuum)

He’s like those ultra-square Republican politicians from the Midwest in the 1950s who were ultra square and culturally clueless. If you can get so easily tripped up on trick questions, maybe you shouldn’t be running. And from what I heard today on Hannity, he STILL sounds clueless.

49
posted on 08/20/2012 2:51:36 PM PDT
by PJ-Comix
(Beware the Rip in the Space/Time Continuum)

Curious that the replacement names do NOT include the 2nd and 3rd runners up challengers.

That's because this effort to get rid of him is being orchestrated by the Danforth establishment Republicans. A few months back they were repudiating Akin, Steelman, and Brunner wanting all three out of the race in favor of their own chosen candidate Tom Schweich.

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